State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: California vs Montana
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In Montana, $94,190. After cost-of-living, the gap is 18.8% — not 39%.
Nominal pay gap
+39%
California vs Montana
COL-adjusted gap
+18.8%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $130,900
- p25
- $102,360
- p75
- $166,580
- p10
- $82,070
- p90
- $203,620
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -45%
Montana
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $94,190
- p25
- $79,240
- p75
- $119,820
- p10
- $65,820
- p90
- $133,270
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 94.6
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -25%
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.